MB78 said:
Punxsutawney Phil said:
I reckon you blokes a being a little hard with regard to todays innings. That was some very good batting on a pitch that was giving plenty to Swan.
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Cricket
- Thread starter mb64
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I reckon you blokes a being a little hard with regard to todays innings. That was some very good batting on a pitch that was giving plenty to Swan.
Streak said:
Time to stand by a young spinner and give him a go and let him develop. Doherty just isn't the guy, far too many fundamental weaknesses in his game.
Steve Smith has the talent to be a good spinner, let's get him in and just persevere with him. Not only is he a better spinner than Doherty, but he is a good batsman, a great fielder and brings a lot of energy that is missing from this aging Australian side. He is the perfect fit.
Phil Hughes to come in for Simon Katich who is injured.
Cameron White in for Marcus North who is *smile*.
Khawaja in for Michael Clarke who is also injured and needs time off.
Mitchell Johnson in for Doug Bollinger who was shithouse bar one ball.
Steve Smith in for Brad Doherty who just isn't good enough.
The line up for Perth.
Watson
Hughes
Ponting
Khawaja
Hussey
White
Haddin
Smith
Johnson
Harris
Siddell
Introduce three youngsters for energy levels and future planning. The inclusion of Smith and Johnson makes the batting order look more formidable. White is ten times the player North is. With Clarke and Katich injured it gives us a good chance to blood two of the brightest talents in Australian cricket. Hughes and Khawaja, two names that hopefully we will see for years to come. Bollinger was deplorable. His continued bowling to the pads with a 7 - 3 off side field was disgusting. Perth wicket bring back Mitchell and get him to come in after Harris and Siddell attack the openers. Harris, Siddell, Johnson, Smith, Watson, White can all roll em over.
This match could be the start of the revival of Australian Cricket. 3 youngsters debuting, introduce one more for the Melbourne test maybe a Stark or another young quick.
We have been outplayed all series so far. If rain saves us it is only covering up some serious issues. We are getting flogged. It's what we used to do to the likes of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
I would do more. Make a few more changes, but for now that would suffice.
Would you still do this Bobby if it was 0-0 going to Perth. That is, make any changes that were not injury driven?
Streak said:
Khawaja to open? I know its expecting a lot, but Hughes is having a mongrel of a year, 114 runs at 22 from 5 innings compared to Usman's 411 runs at 68 from 5. We've run out of makeshift openers, unless Huss moves up, but you dont strengthen a weakness by weakening a strength. Maybe Clarke could be an option. Slot him in to open with Watto and bring in Fergie or Kwaj to the middle order, or both and p!ss North off.
Jaques isnt the player he was when he played for Australia. Back injuries have cruelled him and now he is really struggling for form. 166 runs from 9 innings at 20 is not test material.
Take your pick http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=6096;type=tournament
Krezja has only played two shield games this year for four wickets, O'Keefe has played one game and has taken seven wickets at 16 apiece. Smith isn't going to be our number one spinner for a few years yet. O'Keefe's first class stats are pretty neat
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/7069.html compared to Smith' first class bowling record http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/267192.html
Nice middle name Steve :hihi
Big day tomorrow.
The draw is currently slight fav over an England win. Decent amount of rain is forecast.
On the makeup of the next test. We are playing the Ashes so the future has zero relevance. This is the biggest prize in cricket. Young old or in between we pick the side that gives Aus the best chance of winning the series.
Bar his mishap late on Clarke played a little gem today. Was a different player than we've seen this summer. Was moving very well, used his feet brilliantly to Swan & was full of intent. Obviously stays now after that. No brainer. Navy had him on the chopping block but you dont get dropped after making 80 like that.
North is batting for his career. Big runs tomorrow that saves the game & he obviously gets a reprieve . Anything less & Ferguson has his spot earmarked for Perth. Smith the wildcard as his bowling can then be used sparingly which is all it is up for ATM.
The bowling is the major weakness.
Bollinger is an automatic exclusion. Bowling is well down. On the unlikely scenario that Johnson has fixed his technique in such a short space of time he can play. If not Hilfenhaus should be brought back. The big brickie bowling into the Doctor with it helping to shape his outswinger will be perfect for him.
At least with Him, Harris, a better spinner & to a lesser extent Siddle ongoing pressure will be far better applied which is what we currently lack most of all.
Doherty unfortunately doesnt have the tools for test cricket. Though They should stick with him for the one-day arena. Who to bring in will depend on the pitch.. If its a usual Perth pitch that doesnt take spin it will crucify Smith to play him as a fulltime bowler when he is so far from International (or even shield level). If we are to play a full-time spinner Hauritz or O'Keefe will be the one's.
Though if it is a green top another seamer shouldnt be overlooked.
The draw is currently slight fav over an England win. Decent amount of rain is forecast.
On the makeup of the next test. We are playing the Ashes so the future has zero relevance. This is the biggest prize in cricket. Young old or in between we pick the side that gives Aus the best chance of winning the series.
Bar his mishap late on Clarke played a little gem today. Was a different player than we've seen this summer. Was moving very well, used his feet brilliantly to Swan & was full of intent. Obviously stays now after that. No brainer. Navy had him on the chopping block but you dont get dropped after making 80 like that.
North is batting for his career. Big runs tomorrow that saves the game & he obviously gets a reprieve . Anything less & Ferguson has his spot earmarked for Perth. Smith the wildcard as his bowling can then be used sparingly which is all it is up for ATM.
The bowling is the major weakness.
Bollinger is an automatic exclusion. Bowling is well down. On the unlikely scenario that Johnson has fixed his technique in such a short space of time he can play. If not Hilfenhaus should be brought back. The big brickie bowling into the Doctor with it helping to shape his outswinger will be perfect for him.
At least with Him, Harris, a better spinner & to a lesser extent Siddle ongoing pressure will be far better applied which is what we currently lack most of all.
Doherty unfortunately doesnt have the tools for test cricket. Though They should stick with him for the one-day arena. Who to bring in will depend on the pitch.. If its a usual Perth pitch that doesnt take spin it will crucify Smith to play him as a fulltime bowler when he is so far from International (or even shield level). If we are to play a full-time spinner Hauritz or O'Keefe will be the one's.
Though if it is a green top another seamer shouldnt be overlooked.
& Yes agree that the NSW V SA game will be of keen interest for players to put there hand up.
How navy can even contemplate having North in the team for Perth regardless of what he does tomorrow is astonishing.
The attitude to give these guys a chance because we are scared of losing is the reason we are where we are.
We have been utterly and totally beat up in the past two tests. Even by some miracle we are nil all going into Perth, how can one see an Australian victory? It's just not gonna happen with this team. Too many passengers, not enough energy, too old and way past it. We will not get within a shot of a win against England. If we continue to do what we do, the best we can hope for is draws. What good is that?
Katich, Ponting, Clarke, North are all under question in terms of batting. Katich and Clarke are just not right. Why are we scared to drop them if they are not 100%? Ponting is under pressure, both for his captaincy and now his failure with the bat. The Poms have worked him out. North is simply not a test cricketer. He has to be dropped. Has to be. How long do we put up with his failure?
If nothing changes, nothing changes. Ashes or no Ashes, it's time right now for changes to happen to this team. A shake up is needed. Bring on the youngsters.
I will watch the NSW vs SA game with a lot of interest now. Hoping for a major innings from Hughes, Khawaja and Ferguson to put more pressure on those weak little men known as the Australian Cricket Selectors.
The attitude to give these guys a chance because we are scared of losing is the reason we are where we are.
We have been utterly and totally beat up in the past two tests. Even by some miracle we are nil all going into Perth, how can one see an Australian victory? It's just not gonna happen with this team. Too many passengers, not enough energy, too old and way past it. We will not get within a shot of a win against England. If we continue to do what we do, the best we can hope for is draws. What good is that?
Katich, Ponting, Clarke, North are all under question in terms of batting. Katich and Clarke are just not right. Why are we scared to drop them if they are not 100%? Ponting is under pressure, both for his captaincy and now his failure with the bat. The Poms have worked him out. North is simply not a test cricketer. He has to be dropped. Has to be. How long do we put up with his failure?
If nothing changes, nothing changes. Ashes or no Ashes, it's time right now for changes to happen to this team. A shake up is needed. Bring on the youngsters.
I will watch the NSW vs SA game with a lot of interest now. Hoping for a major innings from Hughes, Khawaja and Ferguson to put more pressure on those weak little men known as the Australian Cricket Selectors.
snaps truly said:
If we wanted a makeshift opener, I'd go for Shaun Marsh ahead of Khawaja. Time to see what Marsh can do.
No need to throw Khawaja to the wolves. Putting him in at opener would be exposing him for no real gain. Would bring him in to the side to bat somewhere from 4-6.
Regardless of what North does tomorrow, I think his time is up.
If we lose tomorrow, I'd give Hussey a farewell test at the WACA and really look to the future. Bring in Ferguson.
Tigerbob said:
Navy's no North fan either & there is every chance he goes before Perth but in the albeit unlikely event North bats all day tomorrow you drop him Bob?
Sport doesnt work like that.
Agree the batting needs revitalising, but If we do continue to bat well in this innings it will be 2 out of 3 innings we have done so. Our biggest area of concern is the bowling. Both in what we have in the team & in reserve.
As for the Poms working Ponting out. Its a very dangerous game writing champions & greats of the game off. & that is what he is.
Batting and Bowling are both areas of concerns. To me both need to be looked at. One is no better than the other. Then don't get of started on the fielding.
Mitchell Johnson and Steve Smith change the bowling, on a Perth wicket. Maybe bring in Stark or another quick for Siddell. I think Mitch and Smith will provide energy and difference to the lineup. Hilf could also make a case.
Not writing off Ponting but even you gotta admit, questions need to be asked as I said. Knowing Punter he will make a hundred in one test and the pressure will ease of him even though he doesn't score in other tests. It's just the way with our team at the moment. Whatever happens after this test, Ricky's time as captain should be disappearing.
Even if North survives all day, he cannot remain in the team. You can't be scared to drop under performers because of one decent innings. North cannot remain in the team. He should of not even made this series.
We can't be scared to play the kids. Guys like Khawaja, Smith, Hughes, Ferguson, Marsh, White, Stark they have all played in pressure situations before. They all have immense talent and all bring in something we lack. Energy.
Why would we possibly be happy to have the team remain as it is? I keep mentioning the word "scared" and that's exactly what it is. Scared to drop some players. Scared to play some youngsters. We should be embracing it.
Mitchell Johnson and Steve Smith change the bowling, on a Perth wicket. Maybe bring in Stark or another quick for Siddell. I think Mitch and Smith will provide energy and difference to the lineup. Hilf could also make a case.
Not writing off Ponting but even you gotta admit, questions need to be asked as I said. Knowing Punter he will make a hundred in one test and the pressure will ease of him even though he doesn't score in other tests. It's just the way with our team at the moment. Whatever happens after this test, Ricky's time as captain should be disappearing.
Even if North survives all day, he cannot remain in the team. You can't be scared to drop under performers because of one decent innings. North cannot remain in the team. He should of not even made this series.
We can't be scared to play the kids. Guys like Khawaja, Smith, Hughes, Ferguson, Marsh, White, Stark they have all played in pressure situations before. They all have immense talent and all bring in something we lack. Energy.
Why would we possibly be happy to have the team remain as it is? I keep mentioning the word "scared" and that's exactly what it is. Scared to drop some players. Scared to play some youngsters. We should be embracing it.
We have holes everywhere at the moment, and I am not sure they can be plugged in time to retain the ashes. Problem is, the guys in the team are probably the best players in the country in their respective positions (barring perhaps one or two).
Key differences between the sides are that england bowlers can swing and seam the ball, ours don't seem to be able to do this. England has a first class spinner, we don't. Our most successful bowler is Peter Siddle and he has bowled 55 overs since he last took a wicket.
England's batsmen are prepared to bat for long periods- as Graham Gooch told Alistair Cook- "when you are in good form, you need to fill your boots".
Strauss, Cook, Trott and Pietersen have all occupied the crease for long periods and made big scores. Hussey and Haddin the only Aussies who have done that.
I know that there are many more pressing problems than Watson, but in a way he symbolises the difference between the 2 sides- makes a good looking 50 but then goes out. Does the hard work, and doesn't fill his boots when his form is good. And while Clarke batted well yesterday, again he had done the hard work and then goes out to a part timer at the end of the day. When you are batting well, grind the pricks into the ground, just as they have done to us. Perhaps we do lack the mental toughness and the killer instinct of years gone by?
And our fielding is woeful. We are being outgunned in every conceivable area of the game. Problem is, I am not sure that the guys who are a rung below could make any difference in time to win the series and get the urn back.
Key differences between the sides are that england bowlers can swing and seam the ball, ours don't seem to be able to do this. England has a first class spinner, we don't. Our most successful bowler is Peter Siddle and he has bowled 55 overs since he last took a wicket.
England's batsmen are prepared to bat for long periods- as Graham Gooch told Alistair Cook- "when you are in good form, you need to fill your boots".
Strauss, Cook, Trott and Pietersen have all occupied the crease for long periods and made big scores. Hussey and Haddin the only Aussies who have done that.
I know that there are many more pressing problems than Watson, but in a way he symbolises the difference between the 2 sides- makes a good looking 50 but then goes out. Does the hard work, and doesn't fill his boots when his form is good. And while Clarke batted well yesterday, again he had done the hard work and then goes out to a part timer at the end of the day. When you are batting well, grind the pricks into the ground, just as they have done to us. Perhaps we do lack the mental toughness and the killer instinct of years gone by?
And our fielding is woeful. We are being outgunned in every conceivable area of the game. Problem is, I am not sure that the guys who are a rung below could make any difference in time to win the series and get the urn back.
Well said Phil.
BTW Weather looks good for at least the first half of the day, which may be all England need.
BTW Weather looks good for at least the first half of the day, which may be all England need.
Tigerbob said:
Fair enough mate.
Did you see Johnson bowl in Brisbane. Or India. Horrible. His action is shot. Not sure it can be turned around so quickly.
You say North cannout play because of one good innings. Navy wouldnt have played him this series either. But now he's been selected if he performs today he has to stay. What msg does it send to anyone else playing. It is bloody unlikely he will stand up today though. He's looked like Swans bunny thus far.
As for immense talent, thinks thats a bridge too far. We have a lack of talent in this country. Respected commentator Jonathan Agnew has toured here many many times & described the Aus A team as the worst he has seen for a long long time. It included a lot of the players you mention. They got smashed by England in Hobart. & the poms didnt have 1 test bowler front up. It was there 2nd string.
Think that is in caused by a wider issue with crickets popularity in the Australian phyche losing its way. AFL & soccer hold all the trumps for young talented sportsmen.
BTW Starc is a good one you bring up. Possible future international quality player who judging by his callup to the Indian test tour is in the selectors sites. However he cant be picked because he's been injured for a while now & wont be back until after this series at the earliest. As mentioned add Heazlewood to that list.
BTW mate whats going on at Newcastle. Geez Houghtons done a good job up there & gets treated like that. I hope they've got O'Neill lined up cos unless they do cant agree with the decision. Whats your thoughts...
Clarke may have batted well yesterday but overshadowed by yet another stumps dismissal in a clutch situation . Agree with those querying his attitude , concentration, mental toughness etc . Not captain’s material.
If North , or moreso Hussey , is out early , it'll likely be 0-1 by lunch.
If North , or moreso Hussey , is out early , it'll likely be 0-1 by lunch.